Zweirad Szenen (5)—A Thousand Years

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On this date on Round and Square's History 

4 August 2014—China's Lunar Calendar 2014 08-04
4 August 2013—China's Lunar Calendar 2013 08-04
4 August 2012—Rural Religion in China (Introduction)
4 August 2011—Longevity Mountain: Mid-Mountain Temple Road

[a] Thousand RF

So if you're from the United States, this is stunning (if you're from China...not so much). Every day, I pass through the little village of Hausen (it sort of rhymes in German with the pronunciation of "thousand"...sort of). And every day I remember that Northfield, Minnesota and Beloit, Wisconsin just can't compete in terms of communal longevity (infrastructure, bureaucracy, and summer events).

Cows, Colleges, and Contentment...to be sure, but not a thousand years old.

A thousand years (now 1,008). For an American, that's hard not to notice.

Zweirad Szenen (3)—Warm Willkommen

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On this date on Round and Square's History 

29 July 2014—China's Lunar Calendar (2014 07-29)
29 July 2013—Asian Ethnicities: Dynamics of Ethnicity (k)
29 July 2013—China's Lunar Calendar (2013 07-29)
29 July 2012—The Accidental Ethnographer: Pilgrimage
29 July 2011—Longevity Mountain: Furnace Talk

After the long climb (gradual, and possible—while in good fitness—to speed up the whole route)...it is wonderful to receive a warm welcome into Kalchreuth. It's the top of the hill, and, even though it probably wouldn't even be a fourth category climb in the Tour de France, local cyclists from the entire Nürnberg-Erlangen area all train here (and race past me as I make my own way forward). 

I have the last laugh, though, because I truly embrace the wonderful hug that the little town gives me when I arrive. They just head downhill. I might even stop in for a coffee and a pretzel (heck, maybe even a beer).

While welcomes are not unknown throughout the world, it is less common to have warm and affectionate goodbyes. Stay tuned.

Zweirad Szenen (2)—Dear Dairy

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On this date on Round and Square's History 

28 July 2014—China's Lunar Calendar (2014 07-28)
28 July 2013—Asian Ethnicities: Dynamics of Ethnicity (j)
28 July 2013—China's Lunar Calendar (2013 07-28)
28 July 2012—The Accidental Ethnographer: Reading Geil
28 July 2011—Longevity Mountain: Southern Temple Entrance

[a] Moo RL

Oh, and what did I see on one of my rides, just a few days ago (along the canal, near Forcheim)? 

Well, "Wisconsin" turned the corner and rode right toward me before I slammed on the brakes (and took a picture).

Bavaria, Hokkaido, Wsconsin—I always seem to find my way back "home" (to milk and cheese...for better or worse).

[b] Milka RL

Zweirad Szenen (1)—Tough Curve

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On this date on Round and Square's History 

27 July 2014—China's Lunar Calendar (2014 07-27)
27 July 2013—Asian Ethnicities: Dynamics of Ethnicity (i)
27 July 2013—China's Lunar Calendar (2013 07-27)
27 July 2012—The Accidental Ethnographer: Opening Geil's Book
27 July 2011—Seinfeld Ethnography: Downtown

[a] The sign says it all...RL

So every day during my daily workout, I have to take a brief "quiz," a little "test." It adds up to twenty-percent of the grade, though, and that is hardly insignificant for a middle-aged rider. Every day, after ninety minutes of cycling, I face the tiny monster, and then power (this is how I like to imagine it) up its steep back. The day (or two) before a rest day, I sometimes have to weave a bit where the "back" arches a little even beyond twenty.

This is not hors catégorie by a longshot, but it is definitely my little daily quiz. 

Twenty percent.

I sure wish it looked like the photo every day... Seems like five-, six-, percent from here...

Zweirad Szenen—Introduction

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On this date on Round and Square's History 

26 July 2014—China's Lunar Calendar (2014 07-26)
26 July 2014—Asian Ethnicities: Dynamics of Ethnicity (h)
26 July 2013—China's Lunar Calendar (2013 07-26)
26 July 2012—The Accidental Ethnographer: Meeting William Edgar Geil
26 July 2011—Longevity Mountain: The Road to South Peak

[a] Towering RF

Two-Wheeled (Bicycling) Scenes. 

It's as simple as that, and this "introduction" will be brief. Although it all started with cycling through Germany in the springs and summers of 2014 and 2015, this series will feature pictures from my rides all over the world, including a large number in the southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois region.

Round and Square has many long posts, but more than a few short ones, as well. That balance might make it all seem just a bit less overwhelming than the way it all began in 2011, with a thousand word post just about every day for almost two years. Content is not a problem on Round and Square anymore, so pictures (and a little bit of text) from cycling around the world seem to fit just about right.

Get on a bike (and carry a camera...er...phone). It will change everything. 

All photographs...after this introduction...are those of the Round and Square editorial board.

[b] Blowing it out RF